Artificial tooth



Aug. 16, 1932. J. F. CALDWELL ARTIFICIAL TOOTH Filed July 5, 1929 J. F. CALbJSFEii BY I ATTO RN EY.

Patented Aug. 16, 1932 u srArEs r TEN-r OFFICE.

JOHN F. CALDWELL, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS f ,AnrIrIcIAL 'roo'rrr Application fi1ed Ju1y 5, 1929. Serial No. 376,159.

gum, and may be either hollowed'out or made in a generally conical shape. I The porcelain tooth element is earned by a metallic backing,

.. which in turn is suitably attached to the bridgework or the like. The metallic backing embodies a plate which is arranged to engage the lingual surface of the tooth element and the metallic plate preferably extends beyond the incisal portion of the tooth element, so that the major portion of the strain, due to mastication, is transmitted to the backing. At its upper end, the plate is provided with lateral extension, preferably disposed at a right angle thereto and projecting in a lingual direction. The root portion of the tooth element projects in a lingual direction beyond the body portion of the tooth element, and is preferably co-extensive in len gthwith the lateral extension of the backing. An anchor pin is provided, and arranged upon the forward side of the backing plate and is disposed approximately at right angles to the same, and'this anchor pin has a generally triangular web integral therewith,

The anchor pin and web are soldered or otherwise rigidly attached to the backing plate. The anchor pin and web fit within an opening and slot formed in the lingual side of the body portion of the tooth element and are to be cemented therein. The anchor means is located at the central longitudinal axis of the tooth element and beneath the shoulder of the tooth element, and hence completely enclosed, whereby the cement is protected ment and backing,

porcelain tooth element.

against the action of the saliva. This also permits, of the root and incisal portions of the tooth being ground down so that the tooth may have the desired length. The corresponding'tooth elements are made in standard sizes and are interchangeable.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employedto designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an artificial toot-h embodying m 'yv invention,

Figure 2 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the same,

Figure 3 isa bottom plan view of the tooth, Figure 4 is, a side elevation of thecompleted tooth,

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the tooth ele- Figure 6 is a front perspective view of, the backing, Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the backing, and,

F igure 8 is a rear perspective view of the In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates a tooth element, formed of glazed porce- 75 lain or'lilre material. This tooth element embodies a body portion 11,, having the curvature or shape of anatural'tooth, and a root portion"l2, integral therewith. The body portion 11 has'a lingual; flat face 13, and the so root portion 12 projects lin uallv beyond the flat face 13, for a substantial distance, pro viding a flat straight shoulder or face 14 arranged at substantially a right angle to the face 13. The root portion 12 may have its end surface --15 ground to correspond to the curvature of the gum or tissuewhich it engages. It is illustrated as ground concave, but it maybe ground conve'x for producing a cone, The tooth elements are made invarious standard shapes and sizes, and each tooth element may have its root portion and incisal portion ground down for a line fit. This is rendered possible by the arrangement of the anchor means, as will be described.

The backing which is formed of gold or the like, embodies a backing plate 16, which is flat and is adapted to engage with the fiat face 13 of the body portion of the tooth element. This backing plate 16 extends from the shoulder or face l l to the incisal portion or bite 17 of the tooth element, and projects slightly beyond the bite, whereby the strains resulting from mastication, are carried principally by the backing. Formed integral with the inner end of the backing plate 16 is a lateral extension 18, preferably arranged approximately at a right angle thereto, and disposed to engage the shoulder orface 14, and being co-extensive in size with the same and correspondin in shape thereto. The backings would be manufactured in various lengths and widths, to correspond to the tooth elements, with which they are to be used.

The numeral 19 designates an anchor pin, having a substantially triangular web 20, preferably formed integral therewith. This anchor pin and web are disposed upon the outer side of the backing plate 16 and are rigidly attached thereto, by solder or the like and are also arranged at the central longitudinal axis of the backing plate, and adjacent to and slightly below the lateral extension 18 of the backing plate. The pin 19 fits within an opening or recess 21, which is formed in the body portion 11 of the tooth element and extends through the lingual face 13 and terminates at a point 22,spaced from the outer face of the body portion. The body portion is provided with a slot 23, leading into the opening 22, and having a width less than the diameter of the opening 21, and this slot is triangular and of a size to properly receive the reinforcing web 20. The central longitudinal axis of the pin 19 and web 20 coincide with the central longitudinal axis of I the tooth element 10.

The pin 19 and web 20 are held within the opening and slot by cement and the plate 16 and extension 18 are also cemented to the tooth element. 7 The anchor means, including the pin 19 and web 20 are thus located at the central longitudinal axis of the tooth element and below the shoulder 14;, and the anchor means is thus. completely enclosed, thus protecting the cement from the action of the saliva. This also permits the root and incisal portions of the tooth element to be ground down. The relativelongitudinal movement between the tooth element 10 and the backing is opposed by the pin 19 and the triangular reinforcing web 20, affording an anchor means of the maximum strength.

The root portion of the tooth element being arranged entirely above the backing, such root portion contacts with the gum or tissue, thus keeping metal from contacting with the same, which has been found to be very advantageous.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim 2- An artificial tooth comprising a tooth element, having a body portion provided with a lingual substantially fiat face which extends parallel with the longitudinal axis of said body portion, said body portion having a root portion projecting lingually beyond such flat face to provide a shoulder disposed at substantially a right angle to said flat face, said body portion being provided generally centrally thereof and through its flat face with a pin receiving opening disposed at substantially a right angle to said flat face and a substantially triangular slot extending longitudinally of the tooth element and leading into said opening, and a backing including .a plate to engage the flat face of the body'portion and provided at one end with a lateral extension to engage said shoulder, the opposite end of the plate extending beyond the incisal portion of the tooth element, and a pin having a triangular reinforcing web formed integral therewith, said pin and web being attached to the outer side of said late adjacent to the central longitudinal axis of the same, said pin being adapted for insertion within the opening and the web within the slot.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN F. CALDWELL. 

